“The freeze marks a modest but still important turning point in the budget wars with 89 Republicans joining 158 Democrats on the key 247-167 vote. ... The final bill -- approved 326-90 -- remains more than $6 billion over the stricter defense caps set in the Budget Control Act for the Pentagon. But the GOP support garnered by Mulvaney on his amendment and earlier votes on Pakistan and Afghanistan funding reflected a greater willingness by Republicans to cut from security appropriations.” More here: http://politi.co/OAtVJo

In addition ...

... the bill’s $88.2B in OCO funds were cut by about $825M.

... money for Pakistan to pay for U.S. operations would be reduced from $1.3 billion to $650 million.

... the bill would prohibit DOD transactions with Rosoboronexport, the Russian arms dealer that has provided weapons to the Syrian government.

“This has now become a zero-sum game,” said Barney Frank, a sponsor of the amendment capping the base budget at 2012 levels. “Unless you are prepared to ignore the deficit problem, every dollar you put into the Pentagon over and above ... is coming from somewhere.”

McKEON: NO LEAKS FROM DOD (via POLITICO’s Stephanie Gaskell) -- Following yesterday’s three-hour closed-door hearing on national-security leaks -- where Panetta and Dempsey briefed HASC members on how leaks have affected operations -- McKeon said he doesn’t believe such disclosures are coming from the Pentagon. And he laughed when a reporter asked if he thought they’re coming from the White House. “A lot of people have a lot of information and when you think about how much has been leaked, based on how many people have information, actually we’re doing pretty good,” McKeon told reporters. More here: http://politi.co/LAObLx

DOD followed up with a press release outlining steps it’s taking to combat leaks: “The Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, will monitor all major, national media reporting for unauthorized disclosures of defense department classified information. The Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence will ensure that the appropriate component of the department has been tasked with investigating leaks and that the required legal referrals to the Department of Justice and Congressional notifications are made.” More here: http://1.usa.gov/O22MyV

TRIVIA TIME -- On this day in 1969, Neil Armstrong immortalized the words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Of the three astronauts on the Apollo 11 mission, two of them -- Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin -- walked on the surface of the moon. Name the astronaut who monitored the mission from above. BONUS: Name the lunar module Armstrong and Aldrin used to land on the moon. For the answers, read on.

ROMNEY SAYS HE WOULDN’T CUT DOD FUNDING (via Gaskell) -- The presumed GOP nominee has been pretty vague so far on his plans for defense. But in an interview with The American Legion Magazine, he doesn’t mince words: “I will not cut the military budget.”

“I will instead expand our essential weapons programs and our (number of) active-duty personnel,” Romney tells the magazine. “I do these things not so that we have to fight wars, but so that we can prevent wars.” More here: http://politi.co/NlHHBC

OBAMA CAMP TO ROMNEY: WHAT’S YOUR PLAN FOR AFGHANISTAN? The Obama campaign yesterday blasted out an email that said, “‘Real Americans’ care that Romney hasn’t outlined a plan for Afghanistan.” The email was in response to a Romney adviser who said on MSNBC that real Americans don’t care about Romney’s Afghanistan policy. The Cable’s Josh Rogin has the story: http://bit.ly/NC7S5m

OBAMA OP-ED: ‘Taking the cyberattack threat seriously,” published in The Wall Street Journal -- “It doesn’t take much to imagine the consequences of a successful cyberattack. In a future conflict, an adversary unable to match our military supremacy on the battlefield might seek to exploit our computer vulnerabilities here at home. Taking down vital banking systems could trigger a financial crisis. The lack of clean water or functioning hospitals could spark a public health emergency. And as we’ve seen in past blackouts, the loss of electricity can bring businesses, cities and entire regions to a standstill.

“This is the future we have to avoid. That’s why my administration has made cybersecurity a priority, including proposing legislation to strengthen our nation’s digital defenses. It’s why Congress must pass comprehensive cybersecurity legislation.” http://on.wsj.com/MvgR6h

TOP TALKER: “Chaos in Syria adds to Israel’s fears,” by NYT’s Jodi Rudoren -- “The devolution in Syria, while welcome, presents a series of intensifying problems for Israel, its neighbor to the south. Israel’s leaders are growing concerned about Syria’s stockpiles of chemical weapons falling into the hands of rogue groups equally opposed to Israel; about the prospect of throngs of refugees appearing at the border; and about the Golan itself ‘turning into a lawless area where terror elements might also operate,’ as [Defense Minister Ehud] Barak put it. There is concern that the collapse of the Syrian government could lead to a civil war in Lebanon.” http://nyti.ms/Nm3tVC

Pols denounce China, Russia: Morning D’s inbox was overloaded with press releases blasting the two countries for vetoing a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have authorized sanctions against Syria. Kelly Ayotte’s release was most dramatic: “Today is a day of shame for Russia and China.”

TOP QUOTE -- UK Defense Secretary Philip Hammond, on being handed a model F-35 by Panetta: “I felt a bit short changed for the cost.” (salute: Sky Talk http://bit.ly/Q8vHF8)

WHO’S WHERE WHEN -- Ash Carter was in Guam yesterday as part of his 10-day Asia tour, and he’s visiting Japan today. On the home front, Sharon Burke, ASD for operational energy plans and programs, is speaking this evening at the NDIA Michigan Chapter Annual Dinner, in Grosse Pointe, Mich.

DOD: MILITARY UNIFORMS OK AT GAY PRIDE PARADE -- The Pentagon has issued guidance saying that service members are allowed to take part in San Diego's gay pride parade tomorrow. The AP reports: DOD issued the guidance “because parade organizers had invited service members to march in uniform and the matter was getting national attention.” More here: http://politi.co/NlQ2oW

TOP TWEET -- Kate Brannen: “I hope we can come together & kick this can down the road, says Rep. Pete Olson, R-Tx, about sequestration. Shouldn’t the bar be set higher?” @K8brannen

JOBS NEWS: Leigh O’Neill has joined the Truman Project as a policy director, the group announced in a press release. O’Neill previously worked in the majority office of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Fun fact: She’s the granddaughter of the late Tip O’Neill.

TRIVIA ANSWER -- During the famous Apollo 11 mission, only Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin actually walked on the moon. Michael Collins stayed on the command module while Armstrong and Aldrin took the Eagle lunar module down to the moon’s surface. Armstrong and Aldrin left a plaque on the moon that read, “Here men from the planet Earth first set foot on the moon -- July 1969 A.D -- We came in peace for all mankind.” The History Channel’s website has more: http://bit.ly/aZoA7f

DESSERT -- Service members at Kandahar Airfield rock out to “Call Me Maybe.” Marine Corps Times’ Dan Lamothe calls it the best (Marine) version of the song yet. Watch it here: http://bit.ly/LAcI3o

CORRECTION: Morning Defense has been updated to accurately reflect the Defense Department’s policy regarding service members participating in parades. There is no rule barring troops from marching in parades wearing their uniforms.